Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a babysitter cost in Sioux Falls, SD in 2026?
In Sioux Falls, SD, the average babysitter earns about $15.45 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $618/week or $2,678/month. Most Sioux Falls families pay somewhere in the $12–$20/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 1,123 live babysitter listings in Sioux Falls on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $618
- Monthly
- $2,678
- Annual
- $32,136
Find babysitters near you
What drives the price
Most Sioux Falls families pay somewhere in the $12–$20/hour range. Where a given family lands depends on a handful of factors. Three of them drive most of the spread.
Experience
Number of kids
| 1 kid (baseline) | $15.45 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$16.45 |
| 3+ kids | ~$17.45+ |
Hours & schedule
| Weekday 9–5 (standard) | — |
|---|---|
| Evening/weekend | +$2–4/hr |
| Last-minute | +$3–5/hr |
Also factor in: live-in vs. live-out · household duties beyond childcare · driving · cooking · travel.
Full-time, part-time, and live-in babysitter rates
| Arrangement | Typical hours | Average rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 35–50 hrs/week | $16.04/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $15.57/hr | |
| Occasional | 5–15 hrs/week | $16.33/hr | |
| Live-in | Set by family | $15.85/hr |
Part-time and full-time hourly rates are similar here — short schedules don't always command a premium when full-time openings are easy to fill.
Live-in rates are close to live-out here — but the package usually still includes room and board, so the all-in cost can be lower than it appears. The trade-off is space — you'll need a private bedroom and ideally a separate bathroom for the babysitter.
How do Sioux Falls babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?
Sioux Falls runs below the U.S. average for babysitter rates — a meaningful budget advantage for families looking here.
Hiring babysitters in Sioux Falls, SD typically costs about 2% more than the South Dakota average of $15/hour and 8% less than the United States average of $17/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Sioux Falls, SD |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD | $15/hr | — |
| South Dakota | $15/hr | -2% |
| United States | $17/hr | +9% |
Where Sioux Falls, SD fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $13.26/hour in Madison to $15.61/hour in Yankton.
Below: how each compares to the Sioux Falls, SD average of $15.45/hour — Sioux Falls, SD is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Sioux Falls, SD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yankton | $15.61 | +1% | |
| 2 | Spearfish | $15.53 | +1% | |
| 3 | Sioux Falls | $15.45 | — | |
| 4 | Rapid City | $15.42 | — | |
| 5 | Brandon | $15.20 | -2% | |
| 6 | Aberdeen | $14.54 | -6% | |
| 7 | Brookings | $14.46 | -6% | |
| 8 | Vermillion | $14.27 | -8% | |
| 9 | Watertown | $13.55 | -12% | |
| 10 | Madison | $13.26 | -14% |
Tips to find a great babysitter without overpaying
- Be flexible on experience. Some of the best babysitters on the platform have 3–5 years on the job and charge meaningfully less than experienced babysitters with 10+ years. References matter more than years.
- Consider a share. If your kids are similar ages and you live near another family, a share is the single biggest cost reduction available without compromising on care.
- Be specific about hours upfront. Most babysitters will take a slightly lower rate for a guaranteed steady schedule than for a higher-rate, unpredictable one.
- Bundle benefits thoughtfully. Two weeks PTO, a health stipend, transit passes, education assistance, or an annual raise commitment can help close the gap with families offering a higher hourly rate.
- Match rate to responsibilities. A higher rate often makes sense once you add cooking, errands, or driving. Don't compare apples to oranges across listings.
How to reduce nanny costs?
and enjoy flexible child care.
How families use Nanny Lane to find a babysitter in Sioux Falls, SD
Nanny Lane is a marketplace built specifically for connecting families with babysitters — no recruiters in the middle. Most families work through it like this:
- 01
Browse babysitter profiles in Sioux Falls, SD
Filter by hourly rate, experience, languages, and availability.
- 02
Message the ones who look like a fit
Reach out to the babysitters whose experience and rate match what you're looking for.
- 03
Schedule a phone call, then a paid trial day
Trial days feel awkward at first — that's normal. They're the best way to see how a babysitter fits with your family in real time.
- 04
Hire your babysitter
If you'd rather not handle taxes and payroll yourself, our payroll team can take care of it.
Available babysitters in Sioux Falls, SD
1,123 active listings in Sioux Falls
Nanny Gabby
Nanny Gabby
A little bit about me
I love creating a fun, safe, and supportive environment for children, and helping families however I can. Caring for kids is something that truly fills my cup, and I would be excited to build a positive relationship with your family. As of now, I have a flexible schedule and am happy to work with your family's needs. I look forward to connecting with you!
